The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-08
THE NEGRO UPRISING.
A Brunswick Romance II-Timed and
or Injurious Tendency.
inc Coiored People Contentea and
@uies-Justiee Stewart sustafns
HIS Brother Magistrate,

An ArrRAL reporter encountered
Justice j. O. Stewart, Of the Bruins.
wick District, in the courthouse yes.
tsrdsy, and the meeting seemed to
afford no little pleasure to the Justice,
as there was evidently something on
his mind, Of which he wished to be
relieved.
"Who did furnish all that report Of
an uprising among the negroes around
Brunswick, for the purpose of aveng-
ing the death Of Easter 7" was his first
remark, after cordial Handwriting.
He was informed that the Individual
who Furnished the intelligence had
given the APPEAL the shake, and that
q "scoop" was registered for its morn.
ing contemporary,
"Idon't know anything about your
scraps," continued the rural ms gis-
trate, shut l do know that there is not
a word Of truth In the report. The
only thing that could be worped into
q movement Of that kind occurred be-
fore the body OF Easter was found in
the river. Prior to that event the
negroes were, as Q matter OF course,
and justly, worked up to q high state
OF excitement, which, II continued for
great length OF time, might ha We be-
come widespread and dangerous. But
they saw the officers and white PEG.
pie generally were doing all in their
power to solve the mystery, and were
not in the least incensed because Of
temporary failure or taidinees."
"Was there any movement against
it~
"Why, II has not been running for
some time, and, therefore, could not
be stopped. The mystery to me 10
bow such q rumor could originate.
The negroes, contrary to being indig.
nant or resentiul, are oveijoyed at the
result Of the investigation, aud en-.
tirely satisfied at the arrest and com.
mittment OF OofIman. And why
shouldn't they be? / live only about
three miles from the place and was in
Brunswick today, aud know that II
there was any unusual excitement /
would have heard OF it. Reports
spread In the country as well as In the
city. have my ideas about who gave
the report currency, but II you will
correct II nothing more will be said,
further than that the whole story Is
groundless and does the negroes Of
that part OF the county an Injustice "
I'D you see where come one
jumped at an opportunity 10 cenaure
Magistrate Hughes for refusing to Issue
warrant for the arrest OF Coffmap,
Walker AID Weber on first com.
plaiDt2"
"0h, zee; / saw that, bu! do not
consider IL we'll founded. The ne groes
were dealing in ianciiul speculaiions
at first, merely eurmlsing foul play.
They made no specific charges against
the men ut first, and any one would
have seriously doubted that euch men
rs Cohmsn and his associates, with
large Interests there, would have per.
petrated any auch crime. Information
at best was but mesger, aud Mr..
Hughes endsavored to handle the
OF iir properly and Wisely. Nobody
directly charged foul play. When
Coffman and Weber were arrested
the only charge aRalnst them was
impeisonsting an eff cer, a bailable
case. / was there, acted in concert
With Mr.. Hughes throughout, and
know that he acted conscientiously,
aod 10 the beat Of his knowledge and
belief ftom all the lights before him.
The man who censured Mr.. Hughes
certainly forgot the fact that Cotfman
considered bis treatment 20 revere
that he accused Mr.. Hlghes OF en-.
nifty. We all make mistakes, OF
course, snd our foresight is not 20
good as our hindsight; therefore /
honestly think the centure Of Mr..
Hughes In this case unmciited, even
II Webber aud Walker are at large"